Anyone looking to run for elected office in this country needs to raise mucho dinero if he or she stands any chance to actually win the seat they are running for.

When it comes to the U.S. Congress, candidates and members need to raise hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, just to be competitive.

Remember, due to the fact that more people need to be reached, running for congress is a lot more expensive than running for Mayor of Smallville, U.S.A.

Just look at Florida, arguably the most important state in the nation. Media advertising rates in the sunshine state are at a premium, so candidates need to double their fundraising efforts just to be able to message their respective base of support.

Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), who is hands down the most charismatic and prolific politician of our time, is the top fundraising freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In just the first two fundraising quarters of 2017, Crist has been able to raise $1,272.415.

Boom! That is a lot baby kissing and handshaking in such a little amount of time.

To those of us who know Crist, his fundraising prowess is not surprising. Since the days as a Republican, before he was an Independent, and now as a Democrat, Crist’s style of retail politics is second to none.

When Crist traversed the state of Florida raising money, it seemed as if he did it for fun and to meet people, not because he needed to.

In the congressional seat he represents, Crist needs to raise money, as his upcoming race is being targeted by national Republicans who see it as very competitive.